Laparoscopic splenic biopsy.

The authors report their experiences with 1243 laparoscopic splenic biopsies performed between 1968 and 1982 at the Laparoscopy Center of the Regional Hospital in Padua. We may conclude that: The risk of laparoscopic splenic biopsy in minimal and fears regarding its performance are unjustified. The diagnostic value of splenic biopsy is evident if a comparison is made, in the different groups, between the percentage and the accuracy of the diagnoses made with the single macroscopic and the histological examinations, respectively. As well as the staging and follow-up of malignant lymphomas, examination of the spleen in clinically suspected splenopathy is a new and interesting indication for laparoscopy, for it is now possible to take one or more biopsies.